A FREEDOM of information request has given an insight into the way diplomatic relations are carried out between Jersey and Europe.
Events such as the European Ambassadors reception held in London last November were described by External Relations Minister Philip Ozouf as important as they helped ‘forge strong relationships within Europe’, especially following the war in Ukraine.
The event – which was attended by Chief Minister Kristina Moore and several other ministers along with 21 representatives from European countries – cost more than £6,000 for food, drink and the hiring of the venue, according to the government’s response to the FOI request.
This included a large floral display placed in the reception at the event cost £300, along with four table posy displays costing £60 each. The total amount spent on the flowers and delivery was £684.
Prosecco costing £37 a bottle was also served on arrival, with additional red and white wine costing £24 a bottle. In total, £1,334 was spent on drinks, £2,640 on food and £2,200 for two rooms.
Deputy Ozouf said: ‘The new government was pleased to have had the opportunity to host this important diplomatic event. Since 2019, when the last reception was held, there has been much turbulence in Europe and the rest of the world. The Covid-19 pandemic had meant that this annual event had not taken place.
‘The acceptance of invitations to this event surpassed all previous numbers that had attended, which is positive evidence of the work of External Relations.’
He added: ‘Events such as this, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, are important as they help forge strong relationships within Europe. Moreover, in a post-Brexit world, events like this raise the Island’s profile and lay important foundations for improved relations with EU partners. Such partnerships and engagements are essential and directly and indirectly benefit Jersey in many ways. As always it is the follow-up of such events that cements relationships. These have been ongoing since the event.’
The FoI response also listed five flights taken by External Relations Minister Philip Ozouf costing a total of £2,324, the most expensive of these being a trip to New Jersey in October, with return flights costing £1,264. The Deputy’s other recent trips included one to the IMF/World Bank (£1,264), another to Brussels (£259), an External Relations dinner (£270), a United Arab Emirates National Day event (£193) and Romanian National Day (£340) – all costs relate to flights.
Reform Jersey leader Deputy Sam Mézec highlighted the importance of scrutinising ministerial spending, but he said that he viewed the level of spending as minor.
Deputy Sam Mézec said: ‘This relates to only about £8,500 of spending, which isn’t much in the grand scheme of things. Any measures we would prefer to focus on cost of living would be costing millions not thousands.
‘If I would say one thing, it would probably be that it is important to continue to scrutinise this spending, given the record of the External Relations Minister when he was previously in office.’
Deputy Mézec added: ‘My greatest concern in this is to see that the External Relations Minister attended the UAE National Day Event, hosted by a country with an absolutely appalling human rights record, which our government has never had the guts to speak out about. I will continue to pressure the government on their empty words when it comes to human rights.’
A separate FoI request has revealed that since July 2022, Treasury Minister Ian Gorst has spent £6,180 on travel expenditure, while the Chief Minister spent £2,162 on travel during the same time.
